Keith Olbermann discusses his Current TV departure with David Letterman
ESPN, MSNBC veteran explains why his latest home didn't work out
Keith Olbermann and David Letterman
Credit: CBS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Keith Olbermann is explaining his split with Current TV in decorating terms.
In an interview Tuesday with David Letterman for CBS' "Late Show," Olbermann compared himself to an expensive chandelier that ended up without a good home because of problems at Current — and his failure to see them.
"It's my fault that it didn't succeed in the sense that I didn't think the whole thing through. I didn't say, 'You know, if you buy a $10 million chandelier, you should have a house to put it in,'" Olbermann said, according to a CBS transcript.
The studio for his show, "Countdown," was inadequate, Olbermann said, and he lost access to a car service because of an unpaid bill. He stopped short of directing strong criticism at former Vice President Al Gore, Current TV's co-founder.
"He meant well. It didn't go well," Olbermann said. "He just wasn't that involved in it and it was kind of difficult to get to him on these things."
He quickly realized he'd made a mistake joining Current, Olbermann said, adding he stayed out of loyalty to viewers and his staff.
Last Friday, Current TV announced it was immediately replacing Olbermann's show with a new program hosted by former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. In a statement, Gore and co-founder Joel Hyatt said their relationship with Olbermann no longer reflected respect and other values.
Olbermann fired back online, saying the claims would be proven untrue in legal action he intended to pursue.
The at-times volatile host came to Current last June after a stormy eight-year stint at MSNBC, his second at that network, and abrupt departure in January 2011.
He reportedly got a five-year, $50-million contract from Current, part of its effort to transform the network's prime-time slate into progressive talk.
In the interview airing Tuesday, Letterman praised Olbermann as a "stand-up guy who's ready for a good scrape and will take the high road ... so for you to announce that the whole thing was your fault just by agreeing to go there, you're taking the blame for that?"
"You got your money," Letterman added.
"Well, up to last Thursday I got my money," Olbermann said. "The nice judge will decide whether or not I get more of my money."
"But, quite seriously," he added, "in that situation, what you're thinking is, 'Oh, Lord, this is probably going to hit the water at some point,' but what do you do?"
Copyright (2012) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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April 3, 2012 at 11:37PM EST Reply to Comment"Decorating terms"? Yep, Keith WAS the bright light, the classy “chandelier” if you will, at CurrentTV. An d they turned out the light. Hey, when they say “Keith, you’re gonna be half-partner at Current” and they offer you 10 million a year, it implies that you’ll have SOME control over your work environment, your new home... no? Ahhhhh yes ....but of course....excuse me, I forgot : For we must contrast those nasty angry egotistic Liberal commentators (like Keith Olbermann) with…..the quiet, humble, self-effacing, ego-less, almost Budda-like qualities of Conservative commentators…..who, no doubt, bicycle to work, so that they might not offend THEIR limo drivers. Chill out Right Wingers, and just take two (more) Viagras. But do me a favor- and DON’T call me in the morning. :-) The REAL question we should be asking is : Did CurrentTV simply USE Keith to gain attention and higher ratings? They KNEW what they were getting! Did they lure him with big bucks, and then drop him when they were done? Yes, we all know that Keith injects emotion and passion into his commentary, into his intelligent and incisive reporting, and into his humor….all of which makes his program interesting, as well as informative. He’s forceful, honest, and direct: you FEEL his pain, you FEEL his anger, and you FEEL his heart-felt sincerity when he covers a story. And he covers it well. He’s NEVER just another talking head! If Keith is absent from CurrentTV, then I too will be absent from CurrentTV. For Keith is one of the best – hands down- as evidenced by his outstanding coverage of OWS during the past year. I wish him well, and hope that he is back on the air soon. We need his unique voice and viewpoint!
agreff
April 11, 2012 at 12:57AM EST - via iPad Reply to CommentSounds good. Very interesting, Sounds good. Very interesting, Sounds good. Very interesting, Sounds good. Very interesting, Sounds good. Very interesting,